Gibson Mill wedding

cat & mikey's vintage wedding at gibson mill, hardcastle crags in hebden bridge

Hebden Bridge wedding at Gibson Mill with a vintage 1940's dress

Cat & Mikey met around four years ago at University. The pair got in touch with me around 12 months before their wedding at Gibson Mill to begin discussing their wedding plans. In October 2016, I photographed their engagement photos on top of the hills near me in Littleborough (you can see their Brides Up North feature here!) and from then on I could see how close these two were. One of Cat & Mikey's friends, Sam, made them a photo album to display at their reception at the Birchcliffe Center, Hebden Bridge which reads 'marriage is getting to have a sleepover with your best friend every night of the week', which is not only ridiculously sweet, but also shows how these two are definitely bffs as well as husband and wife; a perfect marriage if you ask me!

Cat & Mikey's wedding day began with me meeting up with Mikey at the little lodge at Gibson Mill. Gibson Mill is a National Trust site situated in the valley of HardCastle Crags, Hebden Bridge. It's a really beautiful & quaint part of West Yorkshire. Being a National Trust site, cars aren't allowed up to the actual Mill, but luckily we had a couple of beautiful VW camper vans to ferry us about! Gibson Mill is over 200 years old! I really love photographing wedding venues which are linked to West Yorkshire's heritage - also it's a pretty beautiful spot surrounded by woodland walks.

Cat & Mikey's ceremony took place in two parts; one inside the Mill and the other outside. Their woodland blessing was one of the highlights of the day to me. It was a slightly rainy day but it was lovely to see everyone crowded under umbrellas, watching Cat & Mikey read their handwritten, personal vows to each other - and then there was confetti of course!

Afterwards, we all headed back to Gibson Mill for afternoon tea. I thought this was a brilliant idea, letting guests have a bite to eat whilst being free to mingle and move around the mill. It gave the afternoon a really relaxed feel, and no one seemed pushed for time. Cat's younger brother played the guitar and everyone was having a great time tucking into scones. We braved the rain for a few group shots on the bridge, and I made sure to get some great photographs of Cat and her Maid of Honour who was her Grandma.

Cat & Mikey spoke to me prior to their wedding and explained to me how much they loved their engagement photos. It was really important to them to get plenty of couple's portraits together. We took half an hour or so out to wander around Gibson Mill & the surrounding woodlands to capture some really natural photographs of them together. These two have great chemistry so they needed little posing! I love the photographs of them strolling along the path and especially the ones in the secret bluebell patch we found!
We left Gibson Mill late afternoon and headed to the Birchcliffe Centre in Hebden Bridge for the evening festivities. Live music from The Marvella's filled the hall with Motown sounds and we all danced the night away!

Thanks for having me as your wedding photographer Cat & Mikey. Your wedding day was equally fun-filled and heartfelt. It was a beautifully vintage, super-chilled wedding. Scroll down to see the highlights of their day.

Wedding Team:

Photography: Maddie Farris Photography
Second Shooter: Luke Slattery (Thanks Luke!)
Ceremony Venue: Hardcastle Crags, Gibson Mill, Hebden Bridge
Reception Venue: Birchcliffe Centre Hebden Bridge
Bride's Outifit: Dress – True Vintage (1949) from private seller. Shoes – vintage Clarks. Veil – Bridal Emporium Leeds.
Hair: Russel & Brown's
Make Up: The Victory Salon
Groom's Outfit: Owen Scott Tailors, Huddersfield
Bridesmaid Dresses: Aisle Style
Cake: Danielle Leech
Flowers: Pink Ginger
Caterers: Bear's Pantry (evening) & The Blue Teapot (afternoon tea)
Band: The Marvellas
Reception Decor/Props: Handmade by Cat & Mikey
Transport: The Volkswagen Wedding Co.